Daiga Mazvērsīte ‘s second book on the history of Latvian pop music has been published

Musicologist and journalist Daiga Mazvērsīte, immortalizing the history of Latvian pop music, has written the second book – “Black and White Songs 2. The era of large orchestras is being replaced by vocal instrumental ensembles”, which continues the first book in this series. “Black and white songs. From Alfred Winter to Siegfried Račin ”. The book looks at how Alnis Zaķis, Ivars Vīgners, Gunārs Rozenbergs, Zigurds Rezevskis, Gunārs Freidenfelds, Andrejs Lihtenbergs, Zigmunds Lorencs and others entered the music, the representatives of the publishing house “Zvaigzne ABC” informed. –

The name of Daiga Mazvērsīte is known to those who listen to Latvijas Radio 2, where Daiga’s programs “Rhythms of Life in Music” and “From a Dusty Shelf” – a series of programs dedicated to the history of radio music – have been played. Daiga Mazvērsīte is a graduated musicologist, she has several books in her account – about the pioneer of pop music Elga Igenbergs, singer Margarita Vilcāns, composer Uldis Stabulnieks, musician Mārtiņš Freimanis.

“Behind every piece of work stands an invisible team of authors and performers,” says Daiga Mazvērsīte.

“Many 20th century composers, musicians, singers, orchestras and ensembles were once glorified, raised or in heaven, but now we have forgotten them.”

In order not to completely forget the names of these musicians, Daiga Mazvērsīte once managed to talk to composers, soloists, conductors and has now compiled both these interviews and the life stories of the musicians in two books – “Black and White Songs. From Alfred Winter to Zigfrīds Račiņš ”and the newly released“ Black and White Songs 2. The era of large orchestras is being replaced by vocal instrumental ensembles ”.

“They paid for my well-being with their lifelong work, but I can repay at least with this book,” the author writes in the introduction to the second book.

“While researching Latvian popular music, during these 35 years I have come to the conclusion that among the brightest talents there are few who have experienced a sunny, harmonious childhood, always stayed in bed full of bellies and grew up in a friendly, harmonious family. Most have experienced drama and loss since childhood, but some fateful, inexplicable coincidence has led them through the path of music, giving a new, previously unsuspecting meaning to the whole course of life. When the right direction is felt, like-minded people, supporters, music is found louder and louder, more insistent, sometimes becoming not only a profession, but a form of addiction, when hard work is not afraid, sleepless nights, family life is broken. Putting the concert into a carousel, it is replaced by the dizziness of sound, workaholism, the eyes and applause of the listeners, the unstoppable desire to express and create.

All these special people who gave us so many beautiful moments were dreamers, hopeful seekers, great masters in their profession, but only a few managed to find and keep their “bird of happiness”.

At the same time, a painful question arises – what to do when your song is sung? “The author tells about the book.

An e-book is also available.

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